What is Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is a large, complex joint. It is where the ball-socket joint is that keeps your arm attached to your body, and the area is surrounded by bone, nerves, ligaments, muscle, and other tissue.
Any problems in this general area are usually simply referred to as shoulder pain. It is a common problem that most people will experience now and again. Often doctors will have a hard time diagnosing the problem, and an even harder problem treating it.
Getting to the root cause of shoulder pain is the best way to bring relief. One common root cause is a misalignment of the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
People with shoulder pain may feel different types of pain, depending on the nature of the problem. Pain may be dull and achy, or sharp and shocking. For some people the pain is intermittent, for others it is constant. Movement can aggravate the pain.
Shoulder pain can also cause stress and pain in the back, neck, or down the arm. People with shoulder pain may experience muscle weakness or may have trouble sleeping due to the pain.
In more serious cases, shoulder pain may cause numbness or tingle in the arm or hand. In time, muscle weakness and decreased range of motion may cause mobility issues in the afflicted shoulder.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Shoulder Pain
The upper cervical spine may play a role in shoulder pain for some people. This part of the spine, which goes from the base of the skull and down the neck, is in a vulnerable area that is prone to injury. Any jolts or injuries to the neck and head can cause a misalignment of the vertebrae. Poor posture—particularly looking down at phones and tablets for prolonged periods—can also cause misalignments.
When the vertebrae in the neck are misaligned, it can cause problems throughout the rest of the body. Inflamed tissue and compressed or pinched nerves can cause problems in the shoulder, causing pain.
How Our Shoulder Pain Treatment Works
Dr. Bejian Shamloo is an upper cervical specialist here at Upper Spine Knoxville. He can get to the root cause of shoulder pain by checking for misalignments in the upper cervical spine. Using advanced 3D imaging scans, the doctor will be able to pinpoint the angles and locations of any misalignments in your spine.
The diagnostic tools allow the doctor to make precise calculations so that corrections are gentle and swift. Once the spine is properly aligned, the body can begin the healing process, alleviating pain and discomfort and restoring the use of your shoulder.
If shoulder pain is getting in the way of your day-to-day life, get in touch with Upper Spine Knoxville for an appointment with Dr. Shamloo. We see patients in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.